The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PDP

  • Confusion over Lar’s state of health

    Confusion over Lar’s state of health

    Rumours were rife on Tuesday morning that the pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Lar, is dead.

    The rumour which started on Monday spread like wild fire on Tuesday morning with several postings on facebook announcing the demise of Plateau State first civilian governor.

    Chief Lar had been battling an unknown ailment for few months now.

    However, the Executive Secretary of Solomon Lar Foundation, Mr. Major Adeyi, on Tuesday, dismissed the report, saying the PDP chieftain is presently on life support.

    “Baba (Lar) is not dead, but the truth is that he is on life support. He was discharged from the hospital last week and even read his message to Nigerians on the occasion of Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary on online version of most newspapers. But two days later, he had a relapse and was rushed to the hospital. As I am talking to you now, he is on life’s support machine,” Adeyi said.

  • ‘No new PDP in Cross River State’

    A member representing Etung/Obubra Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. John Owan-Enoh, has denied spearheading the incursion of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State.

    Recently, speculations have been rife in the state and in the media about Owan-Enoh’s alleged involvement in forming the splinter group of the party in the state following series of meetings he has been holding with a section of top political leaders of the PDP from Cross River Central, which his constituency falls under.

    But Owan-Enoh told reporters in Calabar that the purpose of the meetings was not to form any dissenting faction but to support Governor Liyel Imoke in his bid to ensure that the next governor came from Cross River North.

    The last of such meetings, held on Sunday, had in attendance the chapter chairmen of the PDP, chairmen and vice chairmen- elect, political appointees as well as political leaders and some elder statesmen from the district.

    Our correspondent, who was at the meeting, noticed that missing were Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, a member of the National Working Committee of the party, Bolaji Anani and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alex Egbuna, all from the district.

    Owan-Enoh said invitations were sent to all of them.

    He said talk of a new PDP was a ploy to distract them from their goals. Owan-Enoh pledged his loyalty to Governor Imoke, who he said had been in the vanguard of keeping the party one under the National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We cannot gather under any platform known as the new PDP. The people behind this are doing so without regards to how it affects the state adversely. We are here to work with the governor to produce his successor,” he said.

    Ndoma-Egba said he wondered if a meeting of the PDP, which did not have in attendance himself as a national caucus member as well as Anani, an NWC member, could be in the interest of the party.

    He denied been invited to any of such meetings held in the past.

     

  • Fani-Kayode can’t blackmail PDP

    Fani-Kayode can’t blackmail PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party has warned the former Aviation Minister,Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, to stop his campaign of blackmail and calmuny

    against the party. The party described the former minister’s comments in the wake of the recent plane crash as a reckless and scandalous remark unbecoming of a public figure.

    PDP said in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Jalo, that “it was unbecoming of a man that uses every opportunity to sermonise on virtues of his faith to employ the occasion of any air mishap to vaunt an un-existing legacy as former aviation minister”.

    Noting that Fani-Kayode is a former member of the Federal Executive Council, the party official said he is “a physician that could not heal himself”.

    He stressed: “In six months that Femi was minister, he posted an enviable record in tribalism and nepotism, when he employed a record 45 managers for different parastatals under the Aviation Ministry from his native Osun State. He went further to retire many officers of the director cadre, replacing them with incompetent cronies.

    “Nigerians have not forgotten the suspension of the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Alhaji Yusuf, by Femi for refusing to illegally extend the concessioning of the Murtala Mohammed (local ) to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services from 12 to 46 years. Though presidential orders restored Alhaji Yusuf to his position, it did not prevent Femi who unilaterally, without presidential approval, granted the extension.”

    But Fani-Kayode denied the allegation of blackmail, saying that he was devoted to the cause of truth.

    He added: “I would advise the PDP to concentrate on trying to get their Minister of Aviation to save lives and protect our skies and to look into the very serious concerns that most Nigerians have raised about air safety in our country today rather than spend their time spreading children and fanciful tales about me.”

     

  • Why Kelvin’s gang tried to kill Kokori monarch, PDP members

    Why Kelvin’s gang tried to kill Kokori monarch, PDP members

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday on Friday’s attack on the palace of Ovie of Agbon Kingdom in Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Ogurimerime, Ukori1, by armed youths suspected to be members of Kelvin Oniarah-led gang.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in next Saturday’s Delta Central Senatorial District Bye-election, Chief Emmanuel Aguarivwodo, Ukori 1 and the Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka, Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta II, and at least two members of the House of Representatives narrowly escaped death in the attack.

    The PDP team was in the monarch’s palace when armed youths, suspected to be members of Kelvin Oniarah-led gang in the area, locked them inside the expansive palace and opened fire on them.

    The Nation gathered that the attack was targeted at the embattled monarch of the crime-ridden community, HRM Ogurimerime Ukori 1, whose whereabouts was unknown at the time of this report.

    No fewer than 20 cars, including two security Toyota Hilux vans, were either burnt or smashed by the rampaging armed gang.

    The Urhobo community had been embroiled in crisis since last Wednesday when Oniarah, who is fingered for numerous high profile kidnap and other nefarious crimes in and around the state was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Our investigation revealed that the target of the weekend attack was the Kokori monarch and some PDP stalwarts, fingered for the arrest of Oniarah.

    Rumour had been rife in the kingdom that the crime lord was setup by the monarch allegedly under the pretext of arranging a meeting that would bring peace to his beleaguered kingdom.

    Besides, it was gathered that a section Kokori youths were unhappy that while the community was embroiled in crisis and people were suffering from the pang of military invasion, their monarch was playing host to members of the PDP.

    “The problem in Kokori was caused in the first place by the PDP, who armed these boys and used them to rig elections. The monarch too was installed by the PDP, we all know that,” a community source stated.

    Our source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We all know that the king (Ukori 1) is or was a member of the PDP, he served on the board of Niger Cat under Ibori (former Governor James Ibori), a PDP governor.”

    Speaking in the same vein, another source, in a telephone conversation with our reporter, said, “The (PDP) rally was disrupted by some aggrieved youths of Kokori. Their grievance was that rather than using his position to find lasting solution to the suffering of his people, he (monarch) was only interested in the success of his political party.”

    Meanwhile, there was uneasy calm in the community on yesterday in the wake of Friday’s violence and subsequent takeover of the community by troops.

     

  • PDP’s lawyer’s absence stalls hearing in appeal

    The absence of the lawyer representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday stalled hearing in the appeal by the sacked Executive Council (EXCO) members of the Rivers State chapter of the party.

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, had planned to hear some pending applications filed by parties. But the absence of Ken Njamanze (SAN) for the PDP stalled proceedings.

    The former EXCO, led by Godspower Umejuru Ake, which was believed to be close to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, was sacked earlier this year by an Abuja High Court on the grounds that it was not properly constituted.

    In its place, the Abuja court ordered the swearing in of another group, with Chief Obuah Amechi Felix as chairman and Walter Ibibia Opuene as secretary.

    Dissatisfied with the Abuja court’s decision, the Ake group appealed.

    Yesterday, the three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Amiru Sanusi, drew parties’ attention to a letter by Njamanze, informing the court about his inability to attend court.

    He told the court that his absence followed his urgent trip to the United States for health reasons.

    He sought an adjournment.

    Plaintiffs’ lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected to an adjournment on the grounds that Njamanze failed to support his letter with documentary evidence that he was ill.

    He argued that Njamnze had, at an earlier hearing, said there was nothing urgent in the case.

    Daudu wondered why Njamanze could not send another lawyer from his chambers, instead of seeking an adjournment.

    Other respondents’ lawyers including Godwin Obla (SAN), Sunday Ameh (SAN) and Ibrahim Bawa did not object to Njamanze’s request for an adjournment.

    They said they had no reason to doubt Njamanze’s claim to being ill.

    The court adjourned the case till November 5 for hearing.

  • PDP hails President on conference

    PDP hails President on conference

    The Peoples Democratic Party has hailed the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a national conference, saying that it is a right step in the right direction.

    The party also applauded the President for his humility and candour, which it noted, were marks of statesmanship.

    The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that Dr. Jonathan has responded wisely to the wishes of Nigerians by setting up a National Conference Committee, led by Dr. Femi Okunrounmu to fashion out its structure and modalities.

    He added: “We are pleased that the President listens and leaves Nigerians in no doubt that their opinions matter. We recall that he bowed to the wishes of Nigerians on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and we also recall that the wishes of Nigerians have been his compass in crucial measures so far taken to contain terrorism in parts of the country.”

    Metuh applauded the President’s “rare humility in acknowledging teething national challenges”, saying these attributes have also reflected in the ways he had responded to the security challenges confronting the country.

    Urging Nigerians to rise up to the challenge of national revival, Metuh said the assertion by President Jonathan that “ordinary folks and not politicians make a nation”, should provoke a sober reflection.

    He added: “ The admission by the President that it is not easy for Nigerians “to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged,” brings to the fore the humanity and humility of a committed leader and the imperative on the part of both the leaders and the led to renew commitment to nation building as the only assured course to victory”.

     

  • PDP’s call for National Conference insincere, says Fayemi

    PDP’s call for National Conference insincere, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has pardoned 10 inmates of the Ado-Ekiti Prisons to mark the country’s 53rd Independence celebration and the state’s 17th anniversary.

    Two of them, Olabode Abirifon and Julius Abirifon, had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment. They had been on the death row for over 16 years.

    Olusola Ojo, Alex Dasun (a Beninoise), Segun Olowoyo, Simon Okeme, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adafase, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kehinde Fagbemi, who were serving various jail terms, were unconditionally freed.

    In a live broadcast on state-owned media stations, the governor said calls by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a National Conference was not sincere and should be viewed with suspicion.

    He said the calls should be backed by a “demonstrable sincerity of purpose”, noting that “those making the latest calls have no respect for basic principles, such as fiscal autonomy.”

    Fayemi assured residents that the state’s limited resources would not prevent his administration from implementing people-oriented projects and programmes as well as improving infrastructure.

    He said: “This administration, in responding to popular feedback, would concentrate more on human empowerment without neglecting infrastructural development.”

    The governor said with effect from this month, 5,000 more people would enjoy his administration’s Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, raising the figure of beneficiaries to 25,000. Each of the beneficiaries receive N5,000 stipend monthly.

    Fayemi said another batch of 5,000 youths would be engaged in the Ekiti Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme and would receive N10,000 each monthly.

    He said the administration had approved the implementation of outstanding promotions and commenced payment of the Teachers Peculiar Allowance.

    Fayemi said he had approved the six per cent increase in pension with effect from January.

    He said 1,800 youths would be engaged under the Peace Corps initiative to be inaugurated later this month.

    The governor said: “It should be noted that all the foregoing are being done against the backdrop of severe financial constraints occasioned by the non-remittance of allocations to states from the Federation Account in the past three months. We would, however, continue to stretch ourselves through financial prudence to meet the aspirations of our people.”

    Urging the Federal Government to undertake policies and programmes to address infrastructure, unemployment, power and other challenges, he said: “It is important that the Federal Government utilises the powers available under the Constitution to focus on priority areas and carry out necessary reforms to strengthen states’ fiscal autonomy.

    “As we have argued, the burden of governance weighs more on the level of government closer to the people. It is thus imperative of the Federal Government to re-order the fiscal structure of the Nigerian Federation immediately.”

    On the state’s crime rate, the governor said: “I am pleased to announce that the State Executive Council has approved a Bill for the Administration of Criminal Justice. It is my expectation that when passed into law, this legislation will provide a framework for the appropriate recognition of crime victims as important stakeholders in our criminal justice system.

    “In addition, I have directed the Ministry of Justice to urgently put in place administrative and policy framework for the treatment of crime victims.

    “Let there be no doubt however about my administration’s resolve to be tough on the perpetrators of crime. Criminals should know that they will be prosecuted and, if convicted, will spend a substantial part of their time in prison. While my administration will continue to provide support to the Nigeria Police and Prisons Service within its limited resources, it is important that the Federal Government urgently considers adequate funding of these agencies.”

  • PDP Secretary takes oath

    PDP Secretary takes oath

    The National Secretary of the Bamanga Tukur-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Adewale Oladipo has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 presidential election and be sworn-in accordingly.

    Oladipo gave the assurance yesterday after his swearing in as the national secretary in Abuja.

    He said: “We will all be alive to swear-in President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015,” adding that there would always be complaints in a political gathering like the PDP.

    The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who presided over the ceremony said the exercise was in compliance with an order given by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.

    The swearing-in of Oladipo has put paid to the quest by the party’s erstwhile national secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola to reclaim the position.

    Oyinlola was removed in June, in what the party said was in deference to another court ruling.

     

  • Rivers PDP faults call for Mbu’s removal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has condemned the threat of strike by the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) if the Inspector-General of Police does not transfer Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu out of Rivers State within 21 days.

    In a statement by Jerry Needam, the PDP enjoined “all workers to ignore the call made by two partisan union leaders, who are merely doing their master’s bidding.

    “It is no longer secret that the NLC Chairman in Rivers State, Chris Oruge and his TUC colleague, Hygenus Onuegbu, are paid agents of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who have sacrificed the interests of the good, law-abiding workers.

    “Rather than commend Commissioner Mbu, the duo of Oruge and Onuegbu, acting in concert with their paymaster and masquerading as the leaders of organised labour, are blasphemously using the name of the peaceful Rivers workers to threaten fire and brimstone.

    “We ask Oruge and Onuegbu to tell Nigerians what they have done to protect Rivers people in general and the workers in particular from the anti-people and anti-business policies of Governor Amaechi?”

    “They are silent when workers are not paid for months, while they dine sumptuously in the Government House Banquet Hall and thereafter leave, fully stashed in food and other accoutrements of the visit.”

  • PDP crisis: APC chieftain urges prayer for Nigeria

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osaro Ize-Omoregie, has called on Nigerians to pray fervently for the present crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party not to lead Nigeria to a state of total breakdown.

    Odaro said Nigerians should not expect change of fortunes or miracles when the ruling party is in turbulence and serious crisis.

    The APC chieftain said in a chat that internal party crisis was a historical features of the PDP, which made many of its members to leave. He predicted that more members would leave the party.

    According to him, “You cannot continue to manipulate elections and people and think that the status quo would remain. PDP is a party of crisis and it is not healthy for our national development. The essence of holding political office is for concentration on the development of the society.

    “This is the only country where you see people in government going abroad for treatment and it will be well announced. If the PDP had gotten it right, by now, we should have 21st century hospitals. All these are indices of lack of concentration and focus which PDP crisis has thrown on the Nigerian state. The best thing is to vote PDP out and get new people to take Nigeria to Eldorado.”

    On those jostling to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2016, Odaro urged the aspirants to check their historical backgrounds and conduct personal appraisal to determine whether they can continue where Oshiomhole stops.